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Planting Okra the Organic Way

Okra is a very advisable plant in an organic farm. It is a native of Africa, a pleasant relative of hibiscus. It was transported to North America in the 17th century. This sun-dependent plant has become a famous side dish in the Deep South; it has also been used as a thickening for stews and gumbo. Although it is a tropical species, still it can survive in any kind of climate, especially when there’s a corn growing.

This plant with large flower can be tall as 6 feet. Its stems and leaves can also have a variety of colors. The most common color is burgundy, which makes your organic farm very nice to look at.

Now, here are some basic tips on how to plant an okra.

The Planting

First and foremost, what you should always remember is that okra needs to be exposed in the sun. Although it can grow anywhere, the most advisable type of soil is fertile loam.

If your organic farm is located in the southern area, you must plant the first batch in the early spring and the second batch in June. Meanwhile, when you are living in areas which are short-season, you must begin to plant indoor six weeks before planting them. You should remember to sow 2 seeds each peat pot then clip off the frailer seeds.

Now, if you are planting the seedling directly in the ground, you should wait until the soil has warmed and the temperature of the air is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Always remember to use the fresher seeds. In order to make sure their freshness, soak them overnight.

When you are ready to plant, sow a seed a half inch deep in a very light soil and one inch deep in the heavy ones. Remember to maintain a 3-inch space. If you have thin seeds, make sure to plant them 24 inches apart from each other.

The Cultivation

Always monitor your okra. When they reach 4 inches tall, you should mulch them in order to keep them from weeds and to conserve moisture. Always water them every dry spell.

Now, every 4 weeks, you should side-dress them with compost. If you are in areas with longer summers, you should cut them back almost to the level of the ground when the middle of summer comes. You should fertilize the in order to deliver a second crop.

The Harvesting

As you monitor them, you’ll notice that after one month from planting, edible pods will begin to appear. Remember that when they mature they are tougher. Thus, when you harvest them use a very sharp knife.